Following the XtraMSN.co.nz divorce, the estranged Telecom and Microsoft are both announcing their new partners today. Telecom will detail its YahooXtra.co.nz site this morning.

Given all XtraMSN.co.nz content came from Xtra, and Micrsosoft's Hotmail etc can easily be substituted by Yahoo's equivalent services (already freely available), it's not clear whether YahooXtra will offer anything that's actually new ... but we'll see.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has jumped in 60 minutes ahead, with a few details of its pending MSN.co.nz site, which will be run in conjunction with Aussie media company ACP.

The two also colaborate on NineMSN.com.au say "MSN NZ will be run by a small team in New Zealand with support from ninemsn in Australia". Click below to read the full press release.

Microsoft, ACP Media and ninemsn launch MSN NZ
msn.co.nz to launch on 1 March 2007

Auckland, New Zealand, Wednesday 28 February, 2007: Kiwis will have a new way to access New Zealand’s favourite free email service - Hotmail - with the launch of msn.co.nz on 1 March 2007.

msn.co.nz is the new home of Hotmail, MSN Messenger, Live Search and a range of information and entertainment including breaking news, weather, sport, jobs, fashion, lifestyle, classifieds and personals.

msn.co.nz is backed by Microsoft New Zealand, ACP Media and ninemsn, Australia’s leading online media company, and will replace the now defunct xtramsn service. Both ACP Media and ninemsn are part of Australia's leading media company, PBL Media.

Local partners TV3, New Zealand's number one online job portal SEEK, online sports site Sportal and content from ACP magazines such as Metro, Cleo, NetGuide and Taste will provide a new way to experience the web through msn.co.nz.

"Given ninemsn's deep understanding of the online media industry, Microsoft New Zealand's local knowledge and ACP Media's New Zealand content we believe that we have the right ingredients for a successful business here in New Zealand", said Helen Robinson, Managing Director, Microsoft New Zealand.

"Research tells us that connecting with friends and family is the most important thing users of all age groups want to do online. That's why we're pleased to have the great Microsoft communication services Hotmail and MSN Messenger back in the MSN fold."

There are currently over one million Hotmail and 300,000 MSN Messenger users registered in New Zealand.

When customers log out of Hotmail they will find themselves redirected to msn.co.nz. Visitors to the old xtramsn.co.nz website will also have the choice to visit the new msn.co.nz site.

"Advertisers have told us that they love the audience reach we have through communication services like Hotmail and MSN Messenger. They also value our ability to target specific demographics and harness the global MSN network. This means New Zealand advertisers can take their messages to a global audience, an option that was not available previously", Ms Robinson said.

MSN NZ will be run by a small team in New Zealand with support from ninemsn in Australia. A General Manager and several operational personnel are expected to be appointed shortly.